For many, opening a studio is a personal dream.
Making a living doing what you love is a powerful motivator, and the freedom of being your own boss is enticing. But taking that first step towards opening your own studio can be nerve-wracking. Are you making the right decision? What about finances? Where will you find clients? How can you meet the right Instructors for your team?
There are myriad solutions to the challenges of opening a studio, and limitless potential for creativity, innovation and expansion. Mind-body fitness modalities are growing rapidly worldwide as interest in maintaining good health at all ages continues to increase many in the Merrithew® community have taken the plunge and opened their own studios in locations around the world.
Joana Meneses at BodyRoots Fitness Studio originally moved to New York pursue a career on the stage as a comedian, but she fell in love Pilates, and now runs BodyRoots Fitness Studio out of her loft space. Monique Lavoie brought Pilates to Manitoba, Canada, when she opened Pilates Winnipeg, and she has expanded to three locations throughout the city. Anita Tang and Patricia Liao of the Orange Room, Shanghai, China added Pilates to their yoga studio to increase their client base, while Melina Giacomasso Caleffi and Fabio Fernandes at Espaco Manawa, Sao Paulo, Brazil had just two weeks to decide whether or not to take the plunge of running their own studio when an offer suddenly became available.
Laura Mohi opened Wild Pilates in Auckland, New Zealand, when she was just 26 years old, while Bita and Reza Alavi crafted a meticulous business plan over the course of a year before opening Real Pilates in Dubai. Damian Wyard combined his training in physiotherapy with Pilates to open Pilates4Physio in Toronto, Canada, while Catherine Hebb put a plan into action to open a chain of studios, Runway Pilates, in the UK. Darcy McMurray opened her own studio just before the financial crash in 2008, and weathered the storm to keep Full Circle Studio running today.
The Merrithew community is filled with inspiring stories of people forging careers and businesses with mind-body fitness and programming. Check out more Instructor and Studio Spotlights on our blog at www.merrithew.com/blog, or get in touch to tell us your own story at marketing@merrithew.com.
For more information on how Merrithew equipment and education programming can help you build your business, contact an Education Advisor at educationadvisor@merrithew.com, or call 1-800-910-0001 ext. 300, or a Commercial Sales Representative at equipment@merrithew.com 1-800-910-0001 ext. 288.